Monthly Archives: February 2015

LANSING—Michiganders and out-of-state visitors can enjoy two days of free fishing this weekend, Feb. 14 and 15, said state Sen. Goeff Hansen.

The twice-per-year event, put on by the state Department of Natural Resources, waives all fishing license fees so participants may fish both inland and Great Lakes waters for all species of fish at no charge. All fishing regulations do still apply.

“Whether you’ve been fishing in the wintertime for years or trying it for the first time, this weekend is for you,” said Hansen, R-Hart. “Come out and enjoy beautiful Michigan at no cost.”

Michigan offers some of the finest freshwater fishing in the world, with more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, more than 11,000 inland lakes and 36,350 miles of rivers and streams.

For more information on the Winter Free Fishing Weekend, including a list of activities across the state, visit www.michigan.gov/freefishing.

LANSING—State Sen. Goeff Hansen, R-Hart, has issued the following statement regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2016 budget proposal, presented Wednesday by the governor to the Senate and House Appropriations committees:

“The governor made education a priority in this budget. He made several strong education proposals, including a $75 per-pupil increase for K-12 students, a $25 million initiative to ensure our children can read proficiently by third grade, and an increase of $100 million for at-risk funding.

“As chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on K-12, School Aid, and Education, I am thrilled with these recommendations. I am passionate about the importance of early education, and I am particularly eager to work with the administration on the governor’s third-grade reading plan.

“The proposed $83 million in skilled-trades investments is also a wise budget decision. To maintain Michigan’s recovery, we must continue to develop and train our workforce to be among the nation’s leaders in the skilled trades.

“A budget is always about priorities. The Legislature and the administration need to make some difficult budgetary decisions over the next few months to ensure that our priorities are focused on the success of our children and the long-term success of Michigan. I think the governor has made some very good recommendations toward achieving those goals.”